Polar region governors give Arctic lessons at schools

Ahead of Polar Explorer Day, marked in Russia on May 21, lessons entitled "The Arctic Region as Russia's Façade" have been held at schools. The heads of the regions discussed Arctic development with school students in the Arkhangelsk Region and the Nenets and Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Areas.

Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region Igor Orlov gave an open lesson for eight graders of Arkhangelsk School No. 14, the governor's and the regional government's press service reports.

At the Arctic lesson, the governor spoke about the activities of the Polar research drifting ice station North Pole-1 commanded by the legendary Ivan Papanin, how the Sibiryakov ice-breaker sailed from Arkhangelsk along the whole of the Northern Sea Route in one navigation season, and about life in the Arctic Region during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Speaking about the contribution of Pomorye to the research and development of the Arctic latitudes today, the head of the region spoke at length about the Arctic floating University — a joint project of Rosgidromet (the Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency) and the Northern (Arctic) Federal University.

"I did my best to interest the children in the Arctic Region using historical and modern examples. It is very important for young people living in the Arctic Region of Russia not to perceive this territory as something virtual. They should know that this is their land, for them to live on and take care of for the coming generations," Orlov said after the lesson.

Governor of the Nenets Autonomous Area Igor Koshin told the school students about the project to build the Indiga off-shore port in the region, the web portal of the Nenets Autonomous Area reports.

"We have drafted a document, a declaration of intention to invest in the port construction. It has already been approved by the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot). As soon as all sides approve it, we'll start designing. Construction, it seems, will probably be your responsibility," Koshin said to the children.

Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area Dmitry Kobylkin discussed the future of Yamal with the upperclassmen of the Obdor school in Salekhard, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area official website reports. He told the students about building new processing factories and Arctic transport infrastructure facilities in the area.

"In addition to extracting minerals, we should aim to produce competitive finished products in our region. You should remember this when you choose your career. I can see that your generation can and should create unique things for the whole of the world," the head of the area said.

Kobylkin also spoke about in-demand occupations in the Arctic Region, the importance of environmental projects, stringent environmental requirements on fuel and energy companies, and support for the volunteer movement growing in Yamal.

Russia marks Polar Explorer Day on May 21 every year. On that day in 1937, the first research expedition of the polar drifting station North Pole-1 started its work. The crew consisted of four scientists: hydrologist Pyotr Shirshov, geophysicist Yevgeny Fyodorov, radio operator Ernst Krenkel and commander Ivan Papanin. The ice-floe drifted from the North Pole to Greenland for 274 days. The North Pole-1 collected unique scientific data for that time, which yielded reliable information about the nature of the North Pole and processes taking place there.